A Gay Girl’s Guide to Austin, Texas for SXSW

18th Август , 2020

Where you should consume, store, stay and play.

Every 12 months, artists, filmmakers, creatives, techies and also the individuals who love them flock to Austin, Texas for SXSW. In the event that you’ve never ever gone to the famous festival (taking place March 10-19 in 2010), Southern By (as locals and regulars call it) overlaps per week of Interactive (read: online and app-based panels, occasions and parties) having its movie and comedy offerings (screenings, programs, much more parties) and its particular line-up of respected performers and buzzed-about brand new acts, with every record label, life style business, podcast and YouTube channel clamoring to cover who’s next.

In a town understood because of its passion for real time bands and BBQ, Austin-philes additionally hail this musical mecca for its wonderful weirdness, which undoubtedly talks to its queerness. Notwithstanding Austin’s regular LGBTQ events and choices through the 12 months, SXSW is amongst the most readily useful times to go to, as through the event, the town not merely bustles with interesting individuals trying to satisfy brand new faces, but hands over Southern hospitality in its everyday haunts.

We asked some Austin locals to provide us the lowdown on the best place to consume, remain, store and play whilst in city for SXSW, or other time you might like to result in the visit to the queerest city in Texas.

Remain

First thing’s very first: You’ve gotta know Liz Lambert. The out hotelier has a few businesses that are different in and away from Austin, but she’s a fixture associated with town, and her resort hotels would be the coolest places to keep or remain in for a glass or two into the Lone celebrity state.

“She’s basically Austin’s most well-known and badass lesbian around, ” said Austin dweller and author Krista Doyle. “She’s known for renovating resort San Jose on Southern Congress. Their yard courtyard patio is where you are going to take in the michelada that is best in the city. ”

Hotel San Jose and Lambert’s other Austin spot Resort Saint Cecilia are colorful, cool and contemporary: sleek and elegant having a touch that is tasteful of ‘n roll. You’ll desire to just take items of the ability house with you, and you’re in luck—both places offer very carefully chosen regional products from the mini-bar and apothecary within their present store. (Bonus: Dogs welcome! )

Resort San Jose via formal web site

Eat

Liz can also be who owns Jo’s Coffee which chubby brunette sex videos not merely serves Stumptown Coffee and breakfast that is banging, but its original location close to resort San Jose normally the website of several an Austin photo op and “a cool, sweet section of Austin’s LGBTQ history. ”

“The famous ‘I adore you a great deal’ Austin mural is regarding the side of the cafe, ” Doyle offered. “The story being that the musician that is local Amy Cook spray painted it from the wall surface after her and Liz, her gf, found myself in a battle. ”

Jo’s Coffee via Twitter

During SXSW, Jo’s parking area hosts Southern by San Jose, a totally free celebration that everyone can go to, featuring “live music, neighborhood vendors and good times. ”

Whenever you’re to locate meal, hitched few LeAnn Mueller and Alison Clem‘s Los Angeles Barbeque is a thing that is sure. “The beef rib and chipotle slaw are to die for, literally” said filmmaker Lisa Donato.

Los angeles Barbecue via Facebook

She additionally advises The Urban Cowboy, a food vehicle owned by out trans man Chris Trapani providing just exactly just what Donato called “the hangover food that is best in town—greasy tacos, alcohol mac and cheese, praline bacon sticks and avocado fritters. ”

Vegans, Austin is much more friendly than you might think. Plezzure Island organizer Ashley Marshall indicates Bouldin Creek Cafe, that provides a mostly vegan menu and she stated is “definitely family. ”

Play

4th Street is Austin’s unofficial gayborhood, lined with LGBTQ nightclubs and pubs like city basic Oil Can Harry’s. This club is for many identities and hosts a lot of SXSW’s happenings that are queer. Across the street, Rain provides a setting that is similar with a lot more dance. (whenever getting cocktails, search for Frot Vodka, an area LGBT-owned brand name. )

The ladies are going to be en masse at Cheer Up Charlie’s, Austin’s lesbian-owned venue that lends its phase to artists and storytellers nightly. During SXSW, they’ll host Empress: employer Babes ATX & GirlFriend Showcase among other can’t-misses that are cool.

Cheer Up Charlie’s via Facebook

BT2 Austin (or Bout That Time) is really a good spot for games, if you’re into that type of thing. Enjoy pinball, pool, darts or volleyball as of this fave that is gay.

If you are thinking about a few more chill literary vibes in the day, Austin hosts Bookgirl, a feminist bookstore owned by out lesbian Susan Post that gives artwork, tees, posters as well as other products you or some body you understand may want as a souvenir. In North Austin, collective-owned Monkeywrench Books normally filled with queer-friendly collectibles. “They focus on content linked to politics, oppression and privilege, ” Donato said.

Bookwoman via Facebook

In the event that you don’t mind a drive that is tiny of town restrictions, Whirlaway Farm and Garden is a recommended stop. Out owner Francesca Hernandez had been encouraged to buy the three-acre plot and begin her very own farm while being employed as an Austin town planner, and today it is house to a greenhouse, fully-functioning farm in addition to yurt by which she dwells. She additionally dedicates the area to web hosting workshops and community tasks, and offers goat’s milk hand creams and soaps, along with supplying a CSA Harvest Share.

Whirlaway Farms via Facebook

SXSW Particular

Among the main tourist attractions at this year’s SXSW Interactive is Lesbutante & The Boss + Lesbians whom Tech formal SXSW Soiree 2017, March 10 during the Highland Lounge. Managed by a woman that is queer this newish homosexual nightclub has “three floors, a killer straight straight right back patio, and all sorts of the lights and fog a club kid could want, ” and also the occasion has been arranged by Austin energy couple celebration promoters (and founders of Plezzure Island) Michelle Solorzano Daly and Kelly western. There’s also an LGBT in Tech Meetup, a Lesbians Who Tech (and Friends) Meetup, LGBTQIA+ Gaymers & Geeks Meet Up, a panel on LGBT storytelling as a result Gets Better, the business enterprise Case for LGBT Equality, LGBT Community Driving Digital wellness Innovations, Selling Out: Anti-Oppressive Queer Style Marketing and making use of Tech to finish LGBT Youth Homelessness.

This year’s film fest offerings are stellar using the premiere of Fawzia Mirza‘s lesbian-themed, multi-cultural wrestling love story “Signature Move, ” “Easy Living, ” featuring out actress Jen Richards, and “The Light of this Moon” featuring bisexual “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” star Stephanie Beatriz. Bonus: These ladies will all attend the Austin lgbt Global movie Festival’s filmmaker that is annual on March 11. Some movie panels and meet-ups not to ever be missed: Queer Voices off and on Screen and Virtual Life’s a Drag: Queering VR.

Via “Signature Move”

If you’re trying to find some neighborhood artists to groove to through the week of concert events, out singer Gina Chavez will perform her salsa-pop at Maggie Mae’s on March 14 and heart rocker Emily Wolfe takes the stage at Trinity Hall at Old class on March 19. Non-locals but queer performers to browse consist of Loamlands, Krudas Cubensi, Johanna Warren, The Spook class, Aye Nako, Marika Hackman, Jay Som, and also the Shondes.

See SXSW for seats, occasions and updated occasion info.